Seats and Restraint Systems
....................... 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 9
Rear Seats
............................................. 16
Safety Belts
............................................ 18
Child Restraints
...................................... 38
Airbag System
........................................ 66
Restraint System Check
......................... 84
Features and Controls
................................ 87
Keys
....................................................... 89
Doors and Locks
.................................... 95
Windows
............................................... 100
Theft-Deterrent Systems
....................... 103
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
....... 105Mirrors
.................................................. 123
Storage Areas
...................................... 126
Sunroof
................................................ 131
Instrument Panel
....................................... 133
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 136
Climate Controls
................................... 155
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
.......................................... 161
Audio System(s)
................................... 178
Driving Your Vehicle
................................. 205
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 206
Towing
................................................. 241
2007 Chevrolet Optra Owner ManualM
1
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this manual you will find these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something
that could damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage
the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could
be costly. But the notice will tell what to do to help
avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specific component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the
following topics:
•Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
•Features and Controls in Section 2
•Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
•Climate Controls in Section 3
•Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in
Section 3
•Audio System(s) in Section 3
•Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
5
Liftgate
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
liftgate open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death. If you
must drive with the liftgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the
body and the liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select
the control setting that will force
outside air into your vehicle. See
Climate Control System on page 155.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 121.The liftgate on a hatchback or wagon can be
locked and unlocked from outside of the vehicle
by inserting the key into the lock and turning it.
The Remote Keyless Entry transmitter, if the
vehicle has one, can also be used. Then pull up
the handle above the license plate to open
the liftgate.
When closing the liftgate, close it from the center
to make sure it fully latches.
99
LOCK:This position locks the steering wheel,
ignition, shift lever and transaxle. This is the only
position in which you can insert or remove the
key. If the steering wheel is locked, move it from
right to left and turn the key to ACC (Accessory).
ACC (Accessory):This position operates
some of the electrical accessories, such as the
radio, but not the climate control system.
ON:This is the position the switch returns after you
start the engine and release the key. The switch
stays in ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use ON to
operate the electrical accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START:This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The switch
returns to ON for normal driving. Do not turn
the key to START if the engine is running.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and ON
allow you to operate electrical accessories,
such as the radio.Starting the Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine does not start in any other
position — that is a safety feature. To restart
when the vehicle is already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift
into PARK (P) only when your vehicle is
stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
to the floor and start the engine. Your vehicle will
not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down — that is a safety feature.
107
Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 121.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 231.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the automatic transaxle shift
lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to.
If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle
will not move, even when it is on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the automatic transaxle shift
lever to PARK (P), or the manual transaxle
shift lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. If you have an automatic transaxle,
seeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 117.
122
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things
(like other vehicles) look farther away
than they really are. If you cut too sharply
into the right lane, you could hit a vehicle
on your right. Check your inside mirror
or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat. It also makes things,
like other vehicles, look farther away than they
really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, when you operate
the rear window defogger, the heated driver’s
and passenger’s outside power mirrors are
warmed to help clear them of ice and snow.
See “Rear Window and Outside Mirror Defogger”
underClimate Control System on page 155for
more information.
125
Instrument Panel Overview........................ 136
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 140
Other Warning Devices............................. 140
Horn.......................................................... 140
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 141
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 141
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 142
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 142
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 143
Windshield Wipers..................................... 143
Windshield Washer.................................... 144
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
(Hatchback and Wagon Only)................ 145
Cruise Control........................................... 145
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 148
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 149
Fog Lamps................................................ 150
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 150
Dome Lamp.............................................. 151
Map Lamps............................................... 151
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver............... 152Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 152
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 153
Clock......................................................... 154
Climate Controls......................................... 155
Climate Control System............................. 155
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 159
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 159
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators........ 161
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 161
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 163
Trip Odometer........................................... 163
Tachometer............................................... 163
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 164
Safety Belt Reminder Tone....................... 164
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 164
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 165
Charging System Light.............................. 167
Brake System Warning Light..................... 168
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light........ 169
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light......................................... 170
Section 3 Instrument Panel
133
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on
page 159.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 161.
C. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 140.
D. Digital Clock. SeeClock on page 154.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 178.
F. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 150.
G. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on
page 257.
H. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 148.I. Horn. SeeHorn on page 140.
J. Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control on
page 145.
K. Windshield Wiper Control. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 143.
L. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 155.
M. Ashtray. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 153.
N. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 153.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 126.
137